Scottish giants Rangers host Roma at home
Still seeking their first point in this season’s Europa League, Rangers will welcome Roma to Ibrox, as both sides aim to kick-start their campaign.
While the ailing Scottish giants have yet to get off the mark, their Italian visitors are trailing behind the top eight after back-to-back defeats.
After a dismal start to the season under former boss Russell Martin, Rangers started their Danny Rohl era in similar style by losing 3-0 to SK Brann late last month.
The Glasgow side’s new coach witnessed the full size of his task in Bergen, where conceding twice in a 15-minute spell either side of the break crushed any hope of success.
Including a disastrous attempt at Champions League qualifying – plus Europa League losses against Genk and Sturm Graz – Rangers have now lost their last six continental fixtures, matching the club’s worst losing streak in UEFA competition.
While the hosts’ lack of points leave them last, Roma are barely better off as things stand, occupying 23rd place in the Europa League table.
Not only do Roma boast one of Europe’s best away records throughout 2025, but their hosts are also in crisis – even if a new boss has started to steady the ship.
The Giallorossi should get back on track in the Europa League, edging to victory over a Rangers side still searching for identity.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Aston Villa welcome Maccabi Tel Aviv to Villa Park
Aston Villa will endeavour to return to winning ways in the Europa League when they play host to Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park.
Although there will be no away fans in attendance due to political reasons, more than 700 police officers will be on duty to ensure public safety amid anticipated protests from different groups.
After beating Bologna and Feyenoord in their opening two Europa League matches, Aston Villa’s 100% record in the League Phase came to an end in disappointing fashion a fortnight ago when they let a one-goal lead slip to lose 2-1 away against Go Ahead Eagles.
Unai Emery’s side bounced back by beating Manchester City 1-0 on home soil in the Premier League just a few days later, but mistakes proved costly in a 2-0 defeat at reigning champions Liverpool last weekend.
Before locking horns with Bournemouth on Sunday, Villa will prepare for matchday four of the Europa League, with their first-ever encounter against Maccabi Tel Aviv falling on the three-year anniversary of Emery’s first match in charge of the club – 82 wins, 29 draws and 43 defeats have been posted across his 154 games at the helm in all competitions (53.25% win rate).
It is difficult to look beyond a routine home victory for Aston Villa, who boast an impressive record at Villa Park. Maccabi Tel Aviv will attempt to frustrate the hosts and hit them on the counter-attack, but Emery’s men should be too strong for the visitors, even if a number of changes are made to his starting lineup.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Stuttgart, Feyenoord faceoff in Rotterdam
Two clubs who are currently sitting outside of the top 24 will meet at the MHPArena as VfB Stuttgart welcome Dutch giants Feyenoord Rotterdam for a crucial Europa League encounter.
Both teams have struggled to pick up points on the continent, but both also boast encouraging domestic records, meaning we could be in for a tasty game this Thursday night.
For all their good work on the domestic scene, Stuttgart are yet to find their groove on the European stage, having picked up just three points from as many league phase outings.
Sebastian Hoeness and his men kicked off their Europa League campaign with an encouraging 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo, but they have since fallen to successive defeats away at FC Basel and Fenerbahce.
As disappointing as that may seem, Stuttgart are actually in a rich vein of form, winning seven of their last 10 matches across all competitions.
Stuttgart have not been involved in a single draw this season, but we expect that to change when they take on a determined Feyenoord side.
Both these teams are capable of scoring goals, which is why we are backing a high-scoring draw over in Germany.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Crystal Palace, AZ Alkmaar in Conference League showdown
Still searching for the first European home win in their history, Crystal Palace welcome AZ Alkmaar to Selhurst Park for matchday three of the Conference League on Thursday night.
The two teams, who meet for the very first time, currently sit level on three points in the 36-team table after winning and losing one game each in their opening two League Phase fixtures.
After celebrating a 2-0 away victory against Dynamo Kiev on matchday one, Crystal Palace’s first home fixture in a major European competition ended in disappointment with a shock 1-0 defeat to AEK Larnaca in the Conference League a fortnight ago.
Palace’s special night at Selhurst Park soon turned into a frustrating one, as they registered only one of their 13 shots on target and could not break down the resilient backline of their Cypriot counterparts.
Head coach Oliver Glasner suggested after the match that the result should serve as a reminder for the Eagles to “stay humble” as Conference League is by no means guaranteed on their European debut.
AZ Alkmaar are certainly no pushovers and they will back themselves to come away from Selhurst Park with a positive result.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Europa League Fixtures
Dinamo Zagreb 17:45 Celta Vigo
Red Bull Salzburg 17:45 Go Ahead Eagles
Sturm Graz 17:45 Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa 20:00 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Ferencváros 20:00 Ludogorets Razgrad
Real Betis 20:00 Olympique Lyonnais
Viktoria Plzeň 20:00 Fenerbahçe
Conference League Fixtures
AEK Athens 17:45 Shamrock Rovers
Samsunspor 17:45 Hamrun Spartans
Shakhtar Donetsk 17:45 Breidablik
Sparta Prague 17:45 Raków Częstochowa
Lausanne-Sport 20:00 Omonia Nicosia
Rapid Vienna 20:00 Universitatea Craiova
Rayo Vallecano 20:00 Lech Poznań
Shkendija 20:00 Jagiellonia Białystok
